Three
As she was passing the park on her way to a delivery, Shampoo caught Ranma's voice on the wind. A smile rose to her face and she turned and pedaled toward him. Screw the delivery.
It would have been fine.
It would have been fine, but Shampoo startled some picnickers.
She startled some picnickers and one of the women splashed her with water.
Still she ran to her Airen.
She did not know what she was doing.
~~~
Fed up with tears, Akane wiped her cheeks and turned to leave the park. As she did her eyes landed on something she had missed. Ranma and Mousse. Ranma looked pissed and he was tearing into the Amazon with a fury she had never seen before. Scared for the boy, Akane broke into a run. A pink blur brushed past her, and she realized it was Neko-Shampoo. Pure, raw terror at the thought of Ranma in the Nekoken in his current state caused her to scream a warning. Ranma's head whipped toward her, the Amazon forgotten. And then Shampoo launched herself toward Ranma. She latched onto his chest.
"NO!" Akane screamed. Mousse's eyes widened and he rapidly began backing away from the screaming Ranma. He had no illusions about what Ranma would do to him when he went into the Nekoken. Mousse would have no hope then.
He went into it faster than Akane had hoped. She was too far away to get to Mousse to save him. She pushed herself, screaming at the top of her lungs.
Neko-Ranma sent Shampoo flying into a tree. She crashed lifelessly to the ground. The cat-boy turned on Mousse, growling low in his throat. He tensed and crouched low to the ground. Mousse continued to back away. Neko-Ranma pounced.
~~~
He did not want to kill this one. Not yet. This male must suffer. He had wanted what was not his to want. She was HIS. This male knew that. SHE WAS HIS. No other would be permitted to want her. No other would be permitted to have her. Carefully, Neko-Ranma dug his claws into the male's chest. The male screamed. Neko-Ranma growled a warning and dug deeper. Blood stained the robes. Neko-Ranma hissed and retracted his claws. The male stopped screaming but continued to whimper. On an impulse he did not understand, Neko-Ranma stretched out one paw and ran in across the male's stomach. Blood began to seep from the wound, but the wound was not deep. Neko-Ranma pulled loose his claw and brought it back to the beginning of the cut, ready to follow the line of blood again, deeper this time. He would continue to follow the wound, going deeper each time, till the male lost what life he had. A shout stopped him. It was She. Neko-Ranma closed his eyes and inhaled her sent over the blood. It was She. In her scent he picked up her fear and panic. It would not do for her to be this way. He left the male moaning in pain and went to her. She was crouched near the ground and calling to him. He mewed and brushed his cheek against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he sat. As she cried, Neko- Ranma purred and nuzzled her hair. After a while she calmed and he was able to crawl into her lap. He lay there contented, listening to the male whimper in pain and feeling her run her fingers through his hair. Slowly Neko-Ranma fell asleep.
~~~
"Mousse? Mousse, I need you to talk to me."
"Tendo Akane...." His voice was faint. He was in incredible pain.
"I can't leave him, Mousse. I'm sorry. I'm afraid he'll hurt you worse if I try. Talk to me, please."
"Tendo Akane...my fault...don't worry."
"How was it your fault?" she began angrily, but then quieted as Ranma stirred in her lap.
"Wanted...what was...not mine...."
"I don't understand."
"You...will....How...is...Shampoo?" Akane looked over at the heap of fur. To her relief and amazement, Neko-Shampoo was beginning to wake.
"She's coming around, Mousse. Mousse? Talk to me, Mousse."
"Hurts...."
~~~
Shampoo struggled to her feet. She was incredibly dizzy. That blow had been hard. She hadn't realized just how angry Ranma had been. She shook her head trying to clear it. Suddenly she was aware of a frightened voice calling her name. She tensed as she realized that it was Akane. She looked over at the girl. Her eyes widened in shock. Mousse lay on the ground, his chest and stomach covered in blood. He was barely breathing. Even the grass around him was soaked. Ranma was curled in Akane's lap, his hands also covered in blood.
"Shampoo," Akane called. The cat snapped to attention. "Shampoo, we need help. Now. I can't.... Please. Get Cologne, Dr. Tofu, anybody." Before she had finished speaking, Neko-Shampoo had already left. Akane began to sob again helplessly.
~~~
Cologne jumped as Neko-Shampoo rammed into her staff.
"What is your problem, girl?" she asked irritated. Shampoo meowed. Cologne realized that she was terrified and very upset. Hastily, the ancient Amazon poured hot water over her head.
"Ranma mad at Duck-boy. Fight. Shampoo send to Nekoken. Ranma hurt Duck-boy. No know if he live. Need help now." As she was speaking, Shampoo had begun to dress. Her actions were sharp and slightly panicked.
"Where are they?" Cologne asked.
"Park. Shampoo go for Dr. Tofu."
"Good. I'll go to the park. Hurry." Shampoo nodded and both of them ran as fast as they could.
~~~
Dr. Tofu sat behind his desk relaxing. Today had thankfully been a light day. He sighed and sipped from a cup of tea. He stood startled as Shampoo burst into his office. The girl was nearly in tears and seemed terrified.
"Duck-boy hurt. Need help now. Come." She did not give him an option, but then he had not needed one. Her fear spoke for itself.
~~~
When they arrived at the park, Ranma had woken. He was cowering against a tree. Akane was sitting next to him, trying to calm him. Cologne was messing with Mousse's pressure points. Dr. Tofu rushed to the Amazon. Immediately he knew that there was nothing he could do.
"He needs to get to a hospital now." He was not aware that Ranma had moved till he found himself staring at grass and not a young man. Akane ran past him, screaming Ranma's name. Dr. Tofu looked up at Cologne.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. Shampoo?" She shook her head.
"Shampoo unconscious. No know."
"Then we go to the hospital."
~~~
Ranma paced back and forth in the waiting room. He was going crazy. Mousse had been so close to death. Any longer and Ranma would be a murderer. Any more damage and Ranma would have been a murderer.
Akane watched Ranma pace. She wanted to hold him. He looked so lost.
"Ranma."
He flinched but said nothing.
"Ranma. Please."
He shook his head, stopping in front of her.
"Ranma." She reached out to take his hand, but he pulled away from her.
"Don't."
"Why not? You need it."
"I don't deserve it."
"You couldn't help it. You aren't in control in the Nekoken. You know that."
"Doesn't matter. I wanted to kill him before I went into it."
"Oh, Ranma. Why?" She sounded so heartbroken. He felt sick. She hated him now. Then she looked up into his eyes. And he realized that she was heartbroken because he was. She hurt because he did. It helped. More than any words, than any touch, her gaze helped. He started to cry. He sank to his knees before her and buried his face in her lap. She ran her hands over his hair, murmuring to him.
He calmed finally and pulled away from Akane to rest his back against her knees. He was exhausted, but he would not be able to sleep till he knew that Mousse would live.
"Ranma, tell me what happened." Her voice was soft and hesitant, almost as if she didn't want to upset him. Of course, telling her would not be easy. It meant that he would have to tell her about....
"Damn," he muttered. He tilted his head back so that it lay against her knees. Cautiously Akane reached out and brushed at his bangs.
"Ranma?" He sighed.
"You're going to hate me."
"No, I won't."
"How do you know?"
"How do you?" she returned. He stayed silent for a while. Akane simply waited.
"Akane?"
"Yes?"
"Why have you been upset? I know I did something, but I'm not sure what." Akane shifted uncomfortable.
"I thought you were mad at me. Really mad, I mean."
"Why?"
"Because of what I said to Ukyo."
"Why would you think I'd be upset?"
"She's your best friend and I was really mean and when I tried to dry you off, you pulled away." Ranma turned and looked up at Akane. She was distraught. He sighed. 'Damn. I have to tell her.'
"Lets go for a walk, Akane. I need to explain that, but not here."
~~~
They walked in silence for a while, Akane casting worried glances at Ranma and Ranma struggling with words that were far too complicated. Finally he sighed frustrated.
"I pulled away, Akane, because I wanted you." Akane froze in mid- step.
"What?" Ranma put his back to her, hoping it would make it easier.
"The day in the bath when you said something about taking a bath with you, I finally let myself admit how much I wanted you. Then that day after Ucchan's. I came home and you were there waiting for me. I was so depressed because I thought you had stopped caring about me and then you were there with towels. You began to dry me and suddenly it was as if three years of love and lust for you was squashed into that one moment. I wanted you so much. I was scared because if it was that strong in my female body, how strong would it be in my male body? After that it was if just being around you was some kind of drug. It got so bad that just knowing you were in the house somewhere drove me crazy. I was afraid I'd do something I'd regret. Then there was the fact that you were so damn upset. I had no idea how to handle it and my...emotions. I wanted to talk to someone. I was sitting in the park and Mousse showed up. He offered to listen and then you showed up. I was sitting there watching you and I looked over and he was looking at you. No, not just looking, but like he wanted you. I was furious." He was getting angry just thinking back on it. "He was supposed to be in love with Shampoo. He knew I loved you. He offered to be my friend and the second I look away, he was after you. That's why I attacked him. Then, well, you know."
Akane stared at him stunned. He was describing powerful emotions. She remembered how she had cried on the floor of her room after that day at Ucchan's. The pain had been so strong she had been unable to breathe. Nothing had helped and each day of not talking to Ranma had made it worse. It had been so bad that at night, when she was alone in the dark, thoughts of suicide had crossed her mind.
"Oh, kami, Ranma," she groaned. "I didn't even notice. I was in so much pain. I wanted you to not hate me, and each day was as if you hated me more." She couldn't say anymore. Fresh pain was squeezing her chest. She put a hand to her head and fought back the sobs. She looked at Ranma. His back was still to her. She needed to see his face. Blindly she reached out and pulled on his shirt trying to get him to turn. He turned slowly. Then, suddenly, she was in his arms. She kissed him hard and passionately, trying desperately to ease the pain that had come with this past week. He kissed her back, trying to keep himself in check while appeasing some of the need.
Suddenly cold air replace his heat. Akane gaped at him, numb with shock. He was standing a few feet from her, his fists clenched tight, his entire body shaking.
"I can't, Akane. Any more and I won't stop." Akane licked her lips. She didn't want him to stop but it could not be now. So she made him a promise.
"After the hospital, Ranma. At home." She turned and walked away from him.
~~~
He was at the hospital before her. Cologne, Dr. Tofu, and Shampoo were waiting with him. He didn't turn to look at her and she didn't look at him. Control was tenuous as it was. Contact would be devastating. Shampoo did not look at them.
"Is he all right?" Akane asked softly. Ranma stiffened at the sound of her voice. Cologne noticed and peered closely at her future son-in-law. He had tight lines around his eyes and his lips were pursed. He closed his eyes so she could make out the emotion there. He seemed to be stretched thin. She wondered what had happened.
"He will live," Dr. Tofu answered. Akane sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness. How long will he be here?"
"A while. He is hurt badly."
"Damn." It was Ranma. Whatever his problems with Akane, his anger at himself was now prominent. "I'm sorry, Cologne, Shampoo. I don't know what to say."
"Is not Ranma's fault. Shampoo send to Nekoken." Ranma laughed humorlessly.
"No. It's not. I wanted him dead before I went into the Nekoken." Cologne looked at Ranma startled.
"Why, son-in-law?" She had not missed Shampoo's change in reference to Ranma. She knew the girl was terrified of him now. He had shown just how deadly he could be. By his nature, Ranma was a gentle person, but there were times and places where he could be ruthless. Shampoo had never seen him behave so with a regular person. Ranma's lips tightened. His eyes darkened.
"He wanted something that was MINE." His voice was like ice. While his actions were regretted, his anger was not. Cologne saw Akane's eyes also darken, but hers were with different emotions: a small amount of fear and a large amount of love/lust. The reaction startled Cologne and she realized where Ranma's tension had come from. He had lain claim to the Tendo girl. Somehow Mousse had given Ranma the impression that he wanted the Tendo girl. And he had paid for it. The girl knew of his claim. She wanted his claim, and had lain one of her own. It would be deadly for another person to step between them. This was something that others would learn of the hard way. Cologne thanked the Deity that Shampoo no longer wanted Ranma. She did not want the girl to die. Despite her renouncing of Ranma, Shampoo did not understand the undercurrents of their conversation.
"What Duck-boy want? He no want nothing but Shampoo and Ranma no have." Ranma's face darkened. Cologne started to shush the girl, but he answered her.
"He wanted Akane." Suddenly his eyes narrowed and he rounded on Shampoo. "I don't care what your laws say. If you touch her, you will die." Shampoo cowered against the wall. Akane reached out and pulled Ranma back.
"Ranma. Control yourself." She paused and then hesitantly added, "Do you want to go home?" His desire was almost palpable.
"Yes." He turned to Cologne again. "Tell him I'm sorry and to stay away. Next time I won't be."
~~~
They walked home in silence. His desire was blending and merging with her desire. They fed off of the other, causing it to grow. A frenzied need was building in both of them. When they finally arrived, she pulled him to her room. It was night now, from the early noon where today had started, and everyone was asleep.
He kissed her, pulling her hard against him. He felt as if he couldn't get her close enough.
Akane clung to him, the dizzying relief of her pain was like an aphrodisiac. She needed him to be inside her. She did not bother with his shirt, but went straight to his pants. He guided her to the bed while she undressed them both.
As she was passing the park on her way to a delivery, Shampoo caught Ranma's voice on the wind. A smile rose to her face and she turned and pedaled toward him. Screw the delivery.
It would have been fine.
It would have been fine, but Shampoo startled some picnickers.
She startled some picnickers and one of the women splashed her with water.
Still she ran to her Airen.
She did not know what she was doing.
~~~
Fed up with tears, Akane wiped her cheeks and turned to leave the park. As she did her eyes landed on something she had missed. Ranma and Mousse. Ranma looked pissed and he was tearing into the Amazon with a fury she had never seen before. Scared for the boy, Akane broke into a run. A pink blur brushed past her, and she realized it was Neko-Shampoo. Pure, raw terror at the thought of Ranma in the Nekoken in his current state caused her to scream a warning. Ranma's head whipped toward her, the Amazon forgotten. And then Shampoo launched herself toward Ranma. She latched onto his chest.
"NO!" Akane screamed. Mousse's eyes widened and he rapidly began backing away from the screaming Ranma. He had no illusions about what Ranma would do to him when he went into the Nekoken. Mousse would have no hope then.
He went into it faster than Akane had hoped. She was too far away to get to Mousse to save him. She pushed herself, screaming at the top of her lungs.
Neko-Ranma sent Shampoo flying into a tree. She crashed lifelessly to the ground. The cat-boy turned on Mousse, growling low in his throat. He tensed and crouched low to the ground. Mousse continued to back away. Neko-Ranma pounced.
~~~
He did not want to kill this one. Not yet. This male must suffer. He had wanted what was not his to want. She was HIS. This male knew that. SHE WAS HIS. No other would be permitted to want her. No other would be permitted to have her. Carefully, Neko-Ranma dug his claws into the male's chest. The male screamed. Neko-Ranma growled a warning and dug deeper. Blood stained the robes. Neko-Ranma hissed and retracted his claws. The male stopped screaming but continued to whimper. On an impulse he did not understand, Neko-Ranma stretched out one paw and ran in across the male's stomach. Blood began to seep from the wound, but the wound was not deep. Neko-Ranma pulled loose his claw and brought it back to the beginning of the cut, ready to follow the line of blood again, deeper this time. He would continue to follow the wound, going deeper each time, till the male lost what life he had. A shout stopped him. It was She. Neko-Ranma closed his eyes and inhaled her sent over the blood. It was She. In her scent he picked up her fear and panic. It would not do for her to be this way. He left the male moaning in pain and went to her. She was crouched near the ground and calling to him. He mewed and brushed his cheek against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he sat. As she cried, Neko- Ranma purred and nuzzled her hair. After a while she calmed and he was able to crawl into her lap. He lay there contented, listening to the male whimper in pain and feeling her run her fingers through his hair. Slowly Neko-Ranma fell asleep.
~~~
"Mousse? Mousse, I need you to talk to me."
"Tendo Akane...." His voice was faint. He was in incredible pain.
"I can't leave him, Mousse. I'm sorry. I'm afraid he'll hurt you worse if I try. Talk to me, please."
"Tendo Akane...my fault...don't worry."
"How was it your fault?" she began angrily, but then quieted as Ranma stirred in her lap.
"Wanted...what was...not mine...."
"I don't understand."
"You...will....How...is...Shampoo?" Akane looked over at the heap of fur. To her relief and amazement, Neko-Shampoo was beginning to wake.
"She's coming around, Mousse. Mousse? Talk to me, Mousse."
"Hurts...."
~~~
Shampoo struggled to her feet. She was incredibly dizzy. That blow had been hard. She hadn't realized just how angry Ranma had been. She shook her head trying to clear it. Suddenly she was aware of a frightened voice calling her name. She tensed as she realized that it was Akane. She looked over at the girl. Her eyes widened in shock. Mousse lay on the ground, his chest and stomach covered in blood. He was barely breathing. Even the grass around him was soaked. Ranma was curled in Akane's lap, his hands also covered in blood.
"Shampoo," Akane called. The cat snapped to attention. "Shampoo, we need help. Now. I can't.... Please. Get Cologne, Dr. Tofu, anybody." Before she had finished speaking, Neko-Shampoo had already left. Akane began to sob again helplessly.
~~~
Cologne jumped as Neko-Shampoo rammed into her staff.
"What is your problem, girl?" she asked irritated. Shampoo meowed. Cologne realized that she was terrified and very upset. Hastily, the ancient Amazon poured hot water over her head.
"Ranma mad at Duck-boy. Fight. Shampoo send to Nekoken. Ranma hurt Duck-boy. No know if he live. Need help now." As she was speaking, Shampoo had begun to dress. Her actions were sharp and slightly panicked.
"Where are they?" Cologne asked.
"Park. Shampoo go for Dr. Tofu."
"Good. I'll go to the park. Hurry." Shampoo nodded and both of them ran as fast as they could.
~~~
Dr. Tofu sat behind his desk relaxing. Today had thankfully been a light day. He sighed and sipped from a cup of tea. He stood startled as Shampoo burst into his office. The girl was nearly in tears and seemed terrified.
"Duck-boy hurt. Need help now. Come." She did not give him an option, but then he had not needed one. Her fear spoke for itself.
~~~
When they arrived at the park, Ranma had woken. He was cowering against a tree. Akane was sitting next to him, trying to calm him. Cologne was messing with Mousse's pressure points. Dr. Tofu rushed to the Amazon. Immediately he knew that there was nothing he could do.
"He needs to get to a hospital now." He was not aware that Ranma had moved till he found himself staring at grass and not a young man. Akane ran past him, screaming Ranma's name. Dr. Tofu looked up at Cologne.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. Shampoo?" She shook her head.
"Shampoo unconscious. No know."
"Then we go to the hospital."
~~~
Ranma paced back and forth in the waiting room. He was going crazy. Mousse had been so close to death. Any longer and Ranma would be a murderer. Any more damage and Ranma would have been a murderer.
Akane watched Ranma pace. She wanted to hold him. He looked so lost.
"Ranma."
He flinched but said nothing.
"Ranma. Please."
He shook his head, stopping in front of her.
"Ranma." She reached out to take his hand, but he pulled away from her.
"Don't."
"Why not? You need it."
"I don't deserve it."
"You couldn't help it. You aren't in control in the Nekoken. You know that."
"Doesn't matter. I wanted to kill him before I went into it."
"Oh, Ranma. Why?" She sounded so heartbroken. He felt sick. She hated him now. Then she looked up into his eyes. And he realized that she was heartbroken because he was. She hurt because he did. It helped. More than any words, than any touch, her gaze helped. He started to cry. He sank to his knees before her and buried his face in her lap. She ran her hands over his hair, murmuring to him.
He calmed finally and pulled away from Akane to rest his back against her knees. He was exhausted, but he would not be able to sleep till he knew that Mousse would live.
"Ranma, tell me what happened." Her voice was soft and hesitant, almost as if she didn't want to upset him. Of course, telling her would not be easy. It meant that he would have to tell her about....
"Damn," he muttered. He tilted his head back so that it lay against her knees. Cautiously Akane reached out and brushed at his bangs.
"Ranma?" He sighed.
"You're going to hate me."
"No, I won't."
"How do you know?"
"How do you?" she returned. He stayed silent for a while. Akane simply waited.
"Akane?"
"Yes?"
"Why have you been upset? I know I did something, but I'm not sure what." Akane shifted uncomfortable.
"I thought you were mad at me. Really mad, I mean."
"Why?"
"Because of what I said to Ukyo."
"Why would you think I'd be upset?"
"She's your best friend and I was really mean and when I tried to dry you off, you pulled away." Ranma turned and looked up at Akane. She was distraught. He sighed. 'Damn. I have to tell her.'
"Lets go for a walk, Akane. I need to explain that, but not here."
~~~
They walked in silence for a while, Akane casting worried glances at Ranma and Ranma struggling with words that were far too complicated. Finally he sighed frustrated.
"I pulled away, Akane, because I wanted you." Akane froze in mid- step.
"What?" Ranma put his back to her, hoping it would make it easier.
"The day in the bath when you said something about taking a bath with you, I finally let myself admit how much I wanted you. Then that day after Ucchan's. I came home and you were there waiting for me. I was so depressed because I thought you had stopped caring about me and then you were there with towels. You began to dry me and suddenly it was as if three years of love and lust for you was squashed into that one moment. I wanted you so much. I was scared because if it was that strong in my female body, how strong would it be in my male body? After that it was if just being around you was some kind of drug. It got so bad that just knowing you were in the house somewhere drove me crazy. I was afraid I'd do something I'd regret. Then there was the fact that you were so damn upset. I had no idea how to handle it and my...emotions. I wanted to talk to someone. I was sitting in the park and Mousse showed up. He offered to listen and then you showed up. I was sitting there watching you and I looked over and he was looking at you. No, not just looking, but like he wanted you. I was furious." He was getting angry just thinking back on it. "He was supposed to be in love with Shampoo. He knew I loved you. He offered to be my friend and the second I look away, he was after you. That's why I attacked him. Then, well, you know."
Akane stared at him stunned. He was describing powerful emotions. She remembered how she had cried on the floor of her room after that day at Ucchan's. The pain had been so strong she had been unable to breathe. Nothing had helped and each day of not talking to Ranma had made it worse. It had been so bad that at night, when she was alone in the dark, thoughts of suicide had crossed her mind.
"Oh, kami, Ranma," she groaned. "I didn't even notice. I was in so much pain. I wanted you to not hate me, and each day was as if you hated me more." She couldn't say anymore. Fresh pain was squeezing her chest. She put a hand to her head and fought back the sobs. She looked at Ranma. His back was still to her. She needed to see his face. Blindly she reached out and pulled on his shirt trying to get him to turn. He turned slowly. Then, suddenly, she was in his arms. She kissed him hard and passionately, trying desperately to ease the pain that had come with this past week. He kissed her back, trying to keep himself in check while appeasing some of the need.
Suddenly cold air replace his heat. Akane gaped at him, numb with shock. He was standing a few feet from her, his fists clenched tight, his entire body shaking.
"I can't, Akane. Any more and I won't stop." Akane licked her lips. She didn't want him to stop but it could not be now. So she made him a promise.
"After the hospital, Ranma. At home." She turned and walked away from him.
~~~
He was at the hospital before her. Cologne, Dr. Tofu, and Shampoo were waiting with him. He didn't turn to look at her and she didn't look at him. Control was tenuous as it was. Contact would be devastating. Shampoo did not look at them.
"Is he all right?" Akane asked softly. Ranma stiffened at the sound of her voice. Cologne noticed and peered closely at her future son-in-law. He had tight lines around his eyes and his lips were pursed. He closed his eyes so she could make out the emotion there. He seemed to be stretched thin. She wondered what had happened.
"He will live," Dr. Tofu answered. Akane sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness. How long will he be here?"
"A while. He is hurt badly."
"Damn." It was Ranma. Whatever his problems with Akane, his anger at himself was now prominent. "I'm sorry, Cologne, Shampoo. I don't know what to say."
"Is not Ranma's fault. Shampoo send to Nekoken." Ranma laughed humorlessly.
"No. It's not. I wanted him dead before I went into the Nekoken." Cologne looked at Ranma startled.
"Why, son-in-law?" She had not missed Shampoo's change in reference to Ranma. She knew the girl was terrified of him now. He had shown just how deadly he could be. By his nature, Ranma was a gentle person, but there were times and places where he could be ruthless. Shampoo had never seen him behave so with a regular person. Ranma's lips tightened. His eyes darkened.
"He wanted something that was MINE." His voice was like ice. While his actions were regretted, his anger was not. Cologne saw Akane's eyes also darken, but hers were with different emotions: a small amount of fear and a large amount of love/lust. The reaction startled Cologne and she realized where Ranma's tension had come from. He had lain claim to the Tendo girl. Somehow Mousse had given Ranma the impression that he wanted the Tendo girl. And he had paid for it. The girl knew of his claim. She wanted his claim, and had lain one of her own. It would be deadly for another person to step between them. This was something that others would learn of the hard way. Cologne thanked the Deity that Shampoo no longer wanted Ranma. She did not want the girl to die. Despite her renouncing of Ranma, Shampoo did not understand the undercurrents of their conversation.
"What Duck-boy want? He no want nothing but Shampoo and Ranma no have." Ranma's face darkened. Cologne started to shush the girl, but he answered her.
"He wanted Akane." Suddenly his eyes narrowed and he rounded on Shampoo. "I don't care what your laws say. If you touch her, you will die." Shampoo cowered against the wall. Akane reached out and pulled Ranma back.
"Ranma. Control yourself." She paused and then hesitantly added, "Do you want to go home?" His desire was almost palpable.
"Yes." He turned to Cologne again. "Tell him I'm sorry and to stay away. Next time I won't be."
~~~
They walked home in silence. His desire was blending and merging with her desire. They fed off of the other, causing it to grow. A frenzied need was building in both of them. When they finally arrived, she pulled him to her room. It was night now, from the early noon where today had started, and everyone was asleep.
He kissed her, pulling her hard against him. He felt as if he couldn't get her close enough.
Akane clung to him, the dizzying relief of her pain was like an aphrodisiac. She needed him to be inside her. She did not bother with his shirt, but went straight to his pants. He guided her to the bed while she undressed them both.